How Do I Know What’s Bullying and What’s Normal Conflict? by Carrie Goldman on Motherlode: As a parent, I find myself up against this question often. I tend to intervene quickly and emotionally with the goal of squashing anything that maybe even remotely seems like bullying. This article gave me the tools to determine whether a behavior really is bullying or simply conflict that my girls need to learn how to resolve on their own.

Even the woman who cuts us off at the parking lot. Even the rubbernecker who turns the highway sluggish. Even the skunk who contaminates the neighborhood, and the geese who leave their droppings on the path. Even the heartache that keeps us hibernating all winter. Even the letters that say “No thanks” and “We’ve chosen someone else.” Even the story about loneliness, and the one about loss. Even the year good news rarely comes, and the shadows look endless. How we still keep our gaze on the mess. How we marry whatever we’ve missed. How we still tilt our faces toward sunlight and wait – how we wait – to be kissed.

Mother in the Middle by Rachel Beanland on Brain, Child: A heartfelt piece about what’s really important when we raise our children and lovely instructions if, tragically, someone else has to raise them for us.

Wise words from Thich Nhat Hanh: I’ve always felt inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh and how his words resonate for me again and again in different phases of my life. Right now, I’m practicing being more present with myself, my husband and my kids, so this quote is especially meaningful: “When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?”

You Don’t Own Me:Famous, powerful, awesome women lip-synching to a 1964 classic to protect women’s rights during this November’s elections.

The Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project 2014:For the fourth year running, the amazing Jill Smokler of Scary Mommy is raising money to feed families in need this Thanksgiving. Be part of the joy. Donate what you can.

A Few Reasons Renee Zellweger’s Face Looks So Different on The Glow: Everybody freaked out about the way Renee Zellweger looked at the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards this week. Yes, she looks, well, unfamiliar, but does that mean we should hang her out to dry? Couldn’t it just be a matter of age, camera angle and lighting? And also, why do we care?